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Pakistan Fears Islamic Backlash
If It Helps U.S. Military Actions

By

Wall Street Journal Reporters

Danny Pearl in Karachi, Pakistan,

Scott Neuman in Peshawar,

Jesse Pesta in Islamabad and

Gerald Seib in Washington.

Updated Sept. 18, 2001 12:01 a.m. ET

With demonstrations in its streets and Afghan refugees moving toward its borders, Pakistan is bracing for an Islamist backlash if the U.S. attacks neighboring Afghanistan with the assistance promised by Pakistan's president.

The most dire scenarios include coordinated attacks on foreigners or an effort led by the Afghan Taliban to topple President Pervez Musharraf, who is also a general. Some Pakistanis consider Mr. Musharraf the last...